Anastacia Shum Cottrell-Manumanunitoga, a representative of the Fiji Bulikula team, is elated to return to Fiji after nine years and is eager to play for her country and family this weekend. The 23-year-old feels a sense of pride in representing both the Bulikula team and her village of Wainimakutu in Namosi on an international platform.
“I am very excited to play this weekend and to represent my country. Playing for Fiji is what matters most, so all the players will be giving their best against our opponents, the Cook Islands,” she stated.
Upon her return, Manumanunitoga looks forward to reconnecting with her family, expressing that it has been a long time since they were last together. Although raised in Australia, she makes regular visits to Fiji to see her family, and she experienced an emotional reunion this week.
“It was an emotional moment for me to see my family this week, and I’m so excited to play in front of them and do my best,” she shared.
Coming from a family with a rugby league tradition, her older brother Tevita Cottrell and her brother-in-law Isaac Lumelume have also played for Fiji in the sport. “My older brother Tevita Cottrell played for the Fiji Bati in 2018, and my brother-in-law Isaac Lumelume represented the country in 2019,” she explained.
“I will be the first girl to represent the family and play for my country and Bulikula, so I’m happy. No matter the outcome this weekend, we are all proud to wear the Fiji jersey and showcase our family heritage.”
The Bulikula team is set to compete against the Cook Islands Moana at 6pm on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
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